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I have been suffering with pain in my left hip for 18 month.

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julie37147
julie37147

I then started with pain in my left shoulder 8 months ago, followed by my neck.  I have been refered to physio, hip specialist and then back to physio.  I have had steroid injections in my hip and shoulder which did not make no difference.  I have seen a rhumatolgist who said because all my bloods are normal and xrays show nothing he couldn't find anything wrong and prescribed pain killers.  I have recently become worse and now my right side seems to be going the same way. My knees have also started hurting on going up or down stairs. My fingers seem swollen in the morning but this gradually goes down. I am seeing a rhumatologist for a second opinion.  I wondered if it was Polymyalgia Rheumatic as I seem to have some of the symptons but not all of them. Is it possible to have this conditionwith normal bloods and xrays. I would love to hear from anybody with any ideas.

 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH julie37147

    Posted

    Yes, about 1 in 5 patients have normal bloods and x-rays don't show anything either, more complex scans are needed to identify areas of inflammation

    However, often having cortisone injections for hip or shoulder problems results in an improvement in other symptoms and a diagnosis of PMR is found by accident. I'm pleased you say you are seeking a second opinion - and I hope this rheumy looks using something a bit more sophisticated than and x-ray!

    Have you tried any complementary therapies? Many of us have found Bowen therapy very helpful with similar problems - because, for me at least and a few others I know, such symptoms can exist alongside PMR as well as ontheir own.

    • julie37147
      julie37147 EileenH

      Posted

      Thankyou for that information this time when I see the rhumatolgist I wont be so easly fobbed off..  I have never heard of Bowen therapy and will look into it I have tried a Chiropractor but that didn't work. Thankyou again. 
    • EileenH
      EileenH julie37147

      Posted

      May also be called Bowtech apparently - it is sort of chiropractic for soft tissue and much much gentler. There is nothing that can go wrong really.
  • erika59785
    erika59785 julie37147

    Posted

    Same here....left shoulder pain for 3 weeks and cannot raise my arm above my waist because of pain.  Otherwise it does not bother me too much. Just trouble typing at times and reaching high enough to put my contact lenses in.  X-rays were taken but they do not show inflammation.

      I had to be treated for Piriformis Sydrome connected with VERY painful Sacroiliacitis with some pelvic misalignment.  I was almost unable to walk.  Luckily my therapist has been able to massage the knotted muscles in my left pelvis, and I am feeling better, but not without pain.  She tells me to sit on  a TENNIS BALL now and then to massage the area.  I still have a few more sessions concerning this problem, but tomorrow I will be consulted by the TP what to do about my left shoulder pain.  I will need to emphasize NOT order many repetitive movemens to strengthen the muscles -----this makes PMR worse. 

    Thought to share this with you, Julie.  All the best to you, Erika

    • EileenH
      EileenH erika59785

      Posted

      "X rays do not show tendons or bursae, but may be helpful in ruling out bone problems or arthritis. In the case of a torn tendon, x rays may help show which tendon is affected. In a knee injury, for example, an x ray will show that the patella is lower than normal in a quadriceps tendon tear and higher than normal in a patellar tendon tear. The doctor may also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm a partial or total tear. MRIs detect both bone and soft tissues like muscles, tendons and their coverings (sheaths), and bursae."

      I think I would ask if it is possible to have more than just an x-ray - bursitis is in soft tissue and soft tissue doesn't appear on ordinary x-rays.

    • julie37147
      julie37147 erika59785

      Posted

      Thanks for your comments. I have never heard of Piriformis Syndrome there seems to be so many conditions out there.  I just hope I get a diagnosis so I can have some treatment. I also feel that nobody really believes how bad the pain can get. Wishing you well Erika sounds like you have a lot to contend with.
    • erika59785
      erika59785 EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen, thank you for your input.  I know that the left shoulder problem is not PMR ---- an injury when I tried to keep a heavy door open.  It could be a torn tendon and a cortisone shot might not help.  I don't know if the Physical Therapist can be of help.  I have an evaluation appointment today about my shoulder.  She  has been very helpful with my Sacoiliac Joint problem......except she wants me to increase repetitive exercises to strengthen muscles,  More than 10 repetitions hurt!  Most therapists do not understand PMR fully.  I will have to remind her. 
    • EileenH
      EileenH erika59785

      Posted

      What I was saying was that the xray tells you nothing about the shoulder damage if it is soft tissue - what you need is an MRI to identify if there is a damage problem to decide the best way to deal with it. Otherwise you risk it getting worse not better.
  • cheryl93521
    cheryl93521 julie37147

    Posted

    Hello Julie37147, I am new to all of this, but I can tell you that I was diagnosed with poloymyalgia also and suffer with severe pain in neck, shoulders, hands hurt so bad and I have problems using them. I also have the pain in knees and feet. Oh my gosh, my hips hurt so bad , but my hands hurt real bad and after taking the prednisone a few days they feel better but still suffer with pain. I think there are lots of people that experience pain in different places. I was reading about a women that had normal blood work and was still treated for poloymyalgia rheumatica also. I hope I have been of some help, but I am newly diagnosed with this dreadful disease.
    • EileenH
      EileenH cheryl93521

      Posted

      If you are on the right dose of pred - 15 to 20mg/day - your pain should have improved by about 70% overall. If it hasn't then the diagnosis of PMR should be questioned and other possibilities explored. I did have tendonitis pain for a few months after starting pred - but overall the change in the constant pain and stiffness was dramatic and very noticeable.

      About 1 in 5 people do not have raised blood work.

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